: an unexpected usually disconcerting challenge, revelation, or catch
also
: an attempt to embarrass, expose, or disgrace someone (such as a politician) with a gotcha
Synonyms
Examples of gotcha in a Sentence
The program has a few gotchas in store for unsuspecting computer users.
the gotcha in the low monthly rate quoted by the cable company is that it is a teaser and good for only six months
Recent Examples on the Web
The action of being frenetic and trying to search for your legally winning gotcha was old hat.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
There’s not a trace of gotcha in this tale of a white missionary, Renee Bach, who set up a malnutrition rehabilitation center in Uganda and seems to have taken on much of the treatment regimen herself – despite having no formal education beyond high school.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2023
But there may be governmental gotcha in the offing.
—Leonard David, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2023
Then, Bash had to go into a break, leaving Ramaswamy’s smug gotcha reply–and misinformation–unchallenged.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023
And the people who want to do gotchas on me only show the first part.
—David Wallace-Wells, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
Merit aid frequently comes with strings and a gotcha.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023
Don't worry, Billie's gotcha.
—Seventeen, 13 Apr. 2022
But then there’s this gotcha: some merit aid is front-loaded, meaning that the college will grant the scholarship during the student’s first year, and later will reduce the award or won’t offer it at all, regardless of how well a student does in school.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
There’s not a trace of gotcha in this tale of a white missionary, Renee Bach, who set up a malnutrition rehabilitation center in Uganda and seems to have taken on much of the treatment regimen herself – despite having no formal education beyond high school.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2023
But there may be governmental gotcha in the offing.
—Leonard David, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2023
Then, Bash had to go into a break, leaving Ramaswamy’s smug gotcha reply–and misinformation–unchallenged.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023
And the people who want to do gotchas on me only show the first part.
—David Wallace-Wells, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
Merit aid frequently comes with strings and a gotcha.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023
Don't worry, Billie's gotcha.
—Seventeen, 13 Apr. 2022
But then there’s this gotcha: some merit aid is front-loaded, meaning that the college will grant the scholarship during the student’s first year, and later will reduce the award or won’t offer it at all, regardless of how well a student does in school.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gotcha.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
alteration of got you
First Known Use
1974, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near gotcha
Cite this Entry
“Gotcha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gotcha. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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